Just because I’m black,
it doesn’t mean I smoke dope.
Or because I’m currently unemployed,
I lack all hope.
Or because I hate my mother,
all women are the same.
Or because my childhood was crap,
all women are to blame.

Just because I look at a woman,
I’m not thinking of rape and assault.
Just because I don’t want to talk,
doesn’t mean that you’re at fault.
Just because I like kids,
doesn’t mean I’ll have some of my Own.
Just because it’s Christmas,
doesn’t mean I’m going home.

Just because I’m male,
doesn’t mean I’ve never cried.
When someone you’ve known for many years
has said their last and died.
Just because I go to sleep tonight,
doesn’t mean in the morning I’ll wake.
Just because money’s offered,
doesn’t mean I’ll take.

Just because I have female friends,
doesn’t mean we are shacking up.
Just because I’m not smiling,
doesn’t mean I’m down on my luck.
Just because we don’t talk every day,
doesn’t mean you’re not my friend.
Just because we argued,
doesn’t mean that it’s the end.

Don’t care about the population at large,
Or person A or B or C.
Don’t compare me with anyone else,
Just compare me with me.

She said she didn’t care if
I was knocked down by a car.
And that out of all her offspring,
I was the most hated by far.

She said that mixing with whites
had fucked up my brain.
And that she would’ve had all girls
if she could live her life again.

And after she’d said all those things,
She’d say it was “The heat of the moment – she hadn’t meant it.”
Well that’s ok, that makes it all better,
Now I can just pretend I dreamt it.

When I moved out, she cried crocodile tears,
And told me I was selfish and ungrateful.
And that she had given me everything, and when
“Sorrow” didn’t work, she turned to “Hateful.”

When family members asked why I wasn’t there for Christmas,
And why the rift between my mother and I was so wide,
I told them, and they listened without really listening,
My mother had already told them her side.

Because she was my mother, I was supposed to take all of this,
Grit my teeth and bear it.
Don’t try passing me the badge of acceptance:
I’ll just refuse to wear it.

I’ve agonised over the years, cried many tears,
Slap spiritual plasters to the wounds, and smooth on.
And I’ve talked to people, wrote many words,
Now it’s time to move on.

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4 comments

Hey Mark,
I quite like ‘The child in Me’ since I can relate to it. Tired of daily routines and all I want to do is sing and plant flowers in my own secret garden and have animal charmers as my best friend.
I’m from Indonesia btw, the city of Jakarta. A place too metropolitan for me.
I was searching for a poem similar to ‘The arrow and the song’ something light and hopeful. I forgot how I ended up here, but I clicked so many links and here I am.
I have to say, your rhymes are of good quality, I enjoyed it all.
Tell me what inspired you? Do you have any recommendations of classic poems that you enjoy reading? I’d appreciate it if you would like to share a few. I’ve just recently taken an interest in poetries, mostly children’s poetry for now. It all started when I downloaded Librivox, an audio book app, there was a book containing collections of poems children liked. It took me away to a moment when I was a child. It reminded me of how I used to be and I miss it.

Sorry for blabbering away but I’ll be keeping your blog on my reading list for sure.

Hi Gabriella,
Thanks for your comments.
As for what inspires me….. The world around me.
A lot of people are so busy talking, they forget to listen – and observe the world around them.
All I can really say with regard to poetry is read EVERYTHING.
Take care,
Mark

Hie Mark
I love these poetry’s especially Just because, The way it should be and Unbroken circle .Yeah some of the made me laugh as well . Hopefully l will relate some of them with our day today life.
We done!!!!Mark